Wireless devices for storing a financial account card and methods for storing card data in a wireless device

ABSTRACT

A wireless device is enabled to receive a financial account card that is inserted into a card slot of the wireless device. The wireless device reads card data from the financial account card when it is inserted into the slot and programs an RFID (radio frequency identification) tag or a memory included in the wireless device. The wireless device may then be used to provide payment by transmitting the card data via radio frequency to a nearby RFID reader using the RFID tag. The financial account card may also be ejected from the wireless device and swiped by a magnetic card reader.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments consistent with the present invention provide wirelessdevices capable of storing a financial account card and methods forstoring card data in a wireless device. In particular, embodimentsconsistent with the present invention provide a wireless device capableof reading card data from a financial account card that is inserted intothe wireless device. The wireless device may store the card data andtransmit the card data by radio frequency.

BACKGROUND

In a conventional credit card transaction, a credit card holder presentsa financial account card, such as a credit card, to a merchant. Themerchant typically swipes a magnetic stripe on the credit card through acard reader that is built into or attached to a point-of-sale (POS)terminal. The magnetic stripe generally includes account information,such as an account number of the card, an identity of the card holder,and an expiration date of the card. Once the merchant has swiped thecard through the card reader, the account information is transmitted tothe POS terminal. Alternatively, instead of the merchant swiping thecard, the credit card holder may personally swipe the card at a selfservice check out station or may insert the card into a card readerbuilt into, for example, a gasoline pump. Once the card reader has readthe card data, the card data is transmitted over a secure network,authenticated, and ultimately used to authorize a transaction. In any ofthese kinds of transactions, however, the credit card must be physicallyread by a magnetic stripe reader in order to obtain the card data thatis stored on the magnetic stripe.

As the prevalence of wireless devices continues to increase, new methodsof storing and transmitting credit card data have begun to emerge. Onesuch example is to use RFID (radio frequency identification) tags fortransmitting payment information. RFID tags are microchips, someversions of which may store and encrypt data. Others may receive andtransmit data from a processor. An RFID tag acts as a transponder and iscapable of transmitting a radio frequency signal when the RFID tagreceives a query radio signal from another device. Typically, the otherdevice is an RFID reader that sends a query signal requesting a nearbyRFID tag to transmit data to the RFID reader. When the RFID tag receivesthe query signal, the RFID tag may be powered into an “on” state.Alternatively, the RFID tag may have its own independent power supply.In either case, when an RFID tag receives a query radio signal, the RFIDtag may respond by transmitting data to the reader up to a distance of aseveral inches or feet away, depending upon the power capabilities ofthe RFID tag.

In recent years, RFID tags have been incorporated in wireless devices,such as cellular phones. In addition to cellular phones, other wirelessdevices, such as PDAs, for example, are also being equipped with RFIDtags. There are many possibilities regarding the kinds of informationthat an RFID tag may store and transmit. One type of information that anRFID tag may transmit is card data that provides payment information fora transaction. For example, a transaction may involve providinginformation for an account, such as a credit card account. In theexample of a cellular phone, the card data may be securely transmittedusing encryption techniques to an RFID reader when the cellular phone isplaced in close proximity to the RFID reader. Accordingly, a cellularphone storing credit card data in an RFID tag or in a memory accessibleby an RFID tag may be used as a payment device without requiring theactual credit card to be swiped by a magnetic card reader.

A problem often arises, however, when existing technologies must beupdated or replaced to take full advantage of new technologicaladvancements. While the transition between new and old may take asubstantial amount of time due to costs associated with upgrading theexisting systems, savings may result over the long term by upgradingthose systems. However, companies may decide to delay a technologicalupgrade because it may take time to build consumer support for theupgraded system. As a result, the company may decide to delay an upgradeuntil more consumers have embraced the new technology. The slowacceptance of wireless devices equipped with RFID tags, along with theneed for merchants to upgrade their card readers to handle payments fromwireless devices, has slowed the implementation of RFID technology atPOS terminals.

Consequentially, a compatibility issue has arisen because many merchantshave not yet invested in RFID readers, which are needed to receive theradio signal sent by the RFID tag included in a wireless device.Instead, many merchants continue to accept payment by swiping a creditcard through a magnetic card reader. Furthermore, many consumers havenot yet purchased or begun using wireless devices that are equipped withRFID technology. Still further, those consumers that do have wirelessdevices that are equipped with RFID technology may be slow to adopt RFIDfeatures due to inexperience or security concerns. Since few consumershave adopted the technology, merchants are also unwilling to investfinancially in RFID readers that are needed to receive card dataproviding payment information since few customers will actually make useof the technology. Transitioning more merchants will take time. Whileconsumers continue to adopt devices using RFID technology for makingcard transactions and merchants invest in RFID readers, merchants willneed to continue to use traditional magnetic stripe readers forprocessing credit card transitions. Accordingly, a transition frommagnetic stripe readers to RFID readers for reading card data for asubstantial number of transactions will likely occur over an extendedtime period due to both the costs involved and the slow adoption byconsumers of wireless devices equipped with RFID tags. Furthermore,since consumers may continue to present credit cards to merchants,merchants will need to retain traditional magnetic stripe readers.

During this transitional period, there is a need for a device thatbridges traditional credit card transactions and transactions that aremade using wireless devices. Such a device would allow the consumer toconveniently select which type of transaction to make depending upon themerchant's technical capabilities. As a result, a consumer will be ableto take advantage of the convenience of RFID technology where availablebut, at the same time, retain the flexibility of a traditional card.Furthermore, consumers will demand a sense of security when makingtransactions using RFID technology before the technology will beaccepted on a large scale.

SUMMARY

Consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, a method isprovided for enabling a wireless device to use card data during apurchase transaction. The method comprises receiving a financial accountcard into a slot of the wireless device, wherein the financial accountcard is stored inside of the wireless device; scanning, by a scannerincluded in the wireless device, a magnetic stripe on the financialaccount card when the financial account card is inserted into the slot;reading, from the magnetic stripe, card data; and enabling the wirelessdevice to use the card data during the purchase transaction.

Consistent with another embodiment of the present invention a wirelessdevice is provided. The wireless device comprises a processor; an RFIDchip; and a slot for receiving a financial account card, wherein thefinancial account card may be stored inside of the wireless device,wherein the processor communicates card data from the financial accountcard to the RFID chip.

Consistent with another embodiment of the present invention, a method isprovided for storing card data in a wireless device. The methodcomprises scanning, when a financial account card is inserted into aslot of the wireless device, card data with a magnetic stripe readerincluded in the wireless device; storing, in a memory include in thewireless device, a name that identifies the financial account card; andstoring the card data in the memory of the wireless device, wherein thescanned card data is associated with the stored name.

Consistent with another embodiment of the present invention, a method isprovided for authorizing use of a financial account card for making apurchase with a wireless device. The method comprises reading card datafrom a financial account card inserted into a slot of the wirelessdevice; storing the card data in a memory included in the wirelessdevice; receiving a security code to authorize use of the card data; andtransmitting, when the security code has been authenticated, the carddata from the wireless device to an RFID reader via radio frequency.

Consistent with yet another embodiment of the present invention, amethod is provided for authorizing use of a financial account card formaking a purchase with a wireless device. The method comprises readingcard data from a financial account card inserted into a slot of thewireless device; storing the card data in a memory included in thewireless device; receiving an authorization authorizing use of the carddata; and transmitting the card data from the wireless device to an RFIDreader via radio frequency.

Consistent with yet another embodiment of the present invention, amethod is provided for authorizing use of a financial account card formaking a purchase with a wireless device. The method comprises receivinga selection of a financial account card from a display of the wirelessdevice; determining, by a processor including in the wireless device,whether the selected financial account card is stored inside thewireless device; and when the selected financial account card isdetermined to be stored inside the wireless device, authorizing use ofthe selected financial account card.

Consistent with still yet another embodiment of the present invention, amethod is provided for authorizing use of a financial account card tomake a purchase using a wireless device. The method comprises receivinga selection of a financial account card from a display of the wirelessdevice; determining, by a processor included in the wireless device,whether the selected financial account card has been used to make aprior purchase using the wireless device; and when the selectedfinancial account card has not been used to make a prior purchase usingthe wireless device, authorizing the selected financial account card.

Consistent with another embodiment of the present invention, a method isprovided for selecting a financial account card to provide a payment fora purchase made using a wireless device. The method comprises receiving,via radio frequency, data reflecting a purchase transaction;automatically selecting a financial account card to provide the paymentfor the purchase based on the received purchase transaction data; andtransmitting via radio frequency card data for the selected financialaccount card.

Consistent with another embodiment of the present invention, a method isprovided for assigning a financial account card to provide a payment fora purchase transaction made using a wireless device. The methodcomprises receiving a selection of a financial account card from adisplay of the wireless device; assigning the selected financial accountcard to a type of purchase; receiving, via radio frequency, datareflecting the purchase transaction; determining, by a processorincluding in the wireless device, whether the received purchasetransaction data corresponds to the purchase type assigned to theselected financial account card; and when the purchase transaction datais determined to correspond to the purchase type assigned to theselected financial account card, transmitting card data for the selectedfinancial account card.

Consistent with yet another embodiment of the present invention, amethod is provided for authorizing use of a financial account card tomake a payment for a purchase transaction using a wireless device. Themethod comprises receiving, from a display of the wireless device, aselection of a financial account card belonging to the user of thewireless device; determining, by a processor included in the wirelessdevice, whether any financial account card belonging to the user,including the selected financial account card, is stored inside thewireless device; and when any financial account card belonging to theuser is determined to be stored inside the wireless device, authorizingthe use of the selected financial account card for the purchasetransaction.

Consistent with yet another embodiment of the present invention, amethod is provided for a security feature for card data of a financialaccount card for storage in a wireless device. The method comprisesreceiving the financial account card into a slot of the wireless device,wherein the financial account card is stored inside of the wirelessdevice; reading card data from the financial account card; storing thecard data in a memory included in the wireless device; and when thefinancial account card is removed from the slot of the wireless device,erasing the stored card data.

Consistent with still yet another embodiment of the present invention, amethod is provided for authorizing a financial account card to make apurchase using a wireless device. The method comprises receiving aselection of a financial account card from a display of the wirelessdevice; determining, by a processor included in the wireless device, anidentity of the owner of the selected financial account card;determining, by the processor, an identify of an owner of a financialaccount card stored in the wireless device; and when the identify of theowner of the selected financial account card and the identify of theowner of the financial account card stored in the wireless device arethe same, authorizing the selected financial account card to make apurchase.

Consistent with still yet another embodiment of the present invention, amethod is provided for authorizing a second party to use a financialaccount card to make a purchase using a wireless device. The methodcomprises receiving a selection of a financial account card from adisplay of the wireless device; assigning, to the selected financialaccount card, an identity of a second party that is authorized to usethe selected financial account card; determining, by a processorincluded in the wireless device, an identity of a user of the wirelessdevice; and when the identify of the user of the wireless device isdetermined to be the authorized second party, authorizing the selectedfinancial account card to make a purchase.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary wireless device including a card slot forinserting a financial account card;

FIG. 2 shows an example of a financial account card being inserted intothe card slot of the wireless device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram of the components of the wirelessdevice of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram of an interaction between a wirelessdevice, an RFID reader, and a magnetic stripe reader;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flow diagram of a method for enabling a wirelessdevice to store card data;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary menu of stored cards that is shown on a displayof a wireless device;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary flow diagram of a method for storing card data ina wireless device;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary flow diagram of a method for providing a securityfeature for card data stored in a wireless device;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary flow diagram of a method for authorizing use of acard to make a purchase with a wireless device;

FIG. 10 is an exemplary flow diagram of a method for authorizing use ofa card to make a purchase with a wireless device;

FIG. 11 is an exemplary flow diagram of a method for authorizing a cardto make a payment using a wireless device;

FIG. 12 is an exemplary flow diagram of a method for authorizing of acard to make a purchase using a wireless device;

FIG. 13 is an exemplary flow diagram of a method for selecting a card toprovide a payment for a purchase made using a wireless device;

FIG. 14 is an exemplary flow diagram of a method for assigning a cardfor providing a payment using a wireless device; and

FIG. 15 is an exemplary flow diagram of a method for authorizing asecond party to use a card to make a purchase with a wireless device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments consistent with the present invention provide a wirelessdevice capable of receiving a financial account card, such as a creditcard, into a card slot of the wireless device. Card data, such asaccount information, may be read from the card by a magnetic stripereader as it is inserted into the card slot of the wireless device.Inserting a financial account card into the wireless device may enableand program an RFID (radio frequency identification) tag in the wirelessdevice. For example, the wireless device may include a processor thatinstructs a magnetic card reader to read the magnetic stripe of the cardand transmit card data to the RFID tag in the wireless device. Card datamay be transformed into microcode that may be written by an RFID writerto the RFID tag in a secure format. Alternatively, card data read fromthe card may be stored in a memory of the wireless device andsubsequently written to the RFID tag or transmitted by the RFID tagduring a transaction. Furthermore, in the case of a smart card, a smartcard reader may instead read card data from an inserted card, as opposedto a magnetic stripe reader.

During a transaction, a user may make a secured payment with thewireless device. In such a transaction, the card data may be transmittedby an RFID chip included in the wireless device to a nearby RFID reader.For example, a card is provided to a customer by a card issuer and thecustomer enables a wireless device with the card. Thereafter, thecustomer may either use the wireless device when providing payment ormay remove the card for traditional use. When a user wishes to removethe card from the wireless device, the user may press an eject button toremove the card. Further, since the wireless device may be capable ofstoring a card, the wireless device can also act as a wallet. When thecard is removed from the card slot of the wireless device, the userretains the option of swiping the magnetic stripe of the card through amagnetic stripe reader. The user may therefore store the card in thewireless device and, when an RFID reader is unavailable, remove the cardfor traditional use. Other embodiments consistent with the presentinvention expand upon the above exemplary wallet concept and allow auser to store multiple cards in the wireless device.

A user of the wireless device may also store data for multiple cards byinserting a first card so that the device may store card data that readfrom the first card. The user may then remove the first card from thewireless device, and insert a second card. As the second card isinserted into the wireless device, card data may be read from the secondcard and made available for storage in the wireless device. After a userhas stored card data for more than one card in the wireless device, theuser may select a card from a menu screen shown on a display of thewireless device.

Wireless devices consistent with embodiments of the present inventionmay also include security features that authorize a transaction. Forexample, a security validation may be required every time a transactionis made with an RFID enabled wireless device, when the selected card isnot stored in the device, or for repeat transactions that use a cardthat was inserted into the device but subsequently removed after aninitial transaction. Further, card data may be encrypted usingencryption techniques so that transmitted card data cannot beintercepted in an accessible form. In other exemplary embodiments, thememory of the wireless device may be erased when a card is removed fromthe card slot. Furthermore, a user of the wireless device may authorizedifferent individuals to use card data stored in the memory of thewireless device for certain accounts.

Reference will now be made to exemplary embodiments of the invention,examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 shows a back view of a wireless device 105 including a card slot110 for inserting a card 120 and an eject button 112. According to theexample shown in FIG. 1, wireless device 105 is preferably a cellularphone. However, wireless device 105 may be a PDA, or other handhelddevice, such as a Blackberry. Although wireless device 105 shows cardslot 110 on the back of the device, card slot 110 may be incorporatedinto any appropriate location of wireless device 105. Further, card slot110 may be oriented in any appropriate direction for receiving card 120.In exemplary embodiments, card slot 110 may include a reader (not shown)for reading card data on card 120.

Card 120 may be a financial account card, such as a credit card, a debitcard, a smart card, an ATM card, or any other card associated with afinancial account and that may be used to make purchase transactions.Card 120 includes, for example, account information such as informationidentifying the card holder, an account number, and expiration date.Preferably, due to the small size of most wireless devices, the card isa mini card. A typical mini card is nearly half the size of a standardcredit card. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, according to the back view ofcard 120, card 120 includes magnetic stripe 122. In the case of a smartcard, card 120 will include a smart card chip (not shown), which may beread by a smart card reader included in wireless device 105 in additionto, or instead of, a reader to read magnetic stripe 122.

Once card 120 is inserted into wireless device 105, a mechanism (notshown) may hold card 120 in place such that it does not fall out ofwireless device 105. Furthermore, wireless device 105 may include ejectbutton 108 for removing card 120 from wireless device 105. For example,when a user desires to remove card 120 from wireless device 105, theuser may press eject button 108, which ejects card 120 through card slot110.

FIG. 2 shows card 120 being inserted into card slot 110 of wirelessdevice 105. When card 120 is inserted into card slot 110 of wirelessdevice 105, a magnetic stripe reader (not shown) may read card datastored on magnetic stripe 122. Alternatively, card 120 may include asmart card chip, which may be reader by a smart card reader (not shown)included in wireless device 105. Card data may be stored in a memory ofwireless device 105 or may be used to program an RFID tag included inwireless device 105, as described in further detail below. Wirelessdevice 105 may optionally include a second card slot (not shown) forinserting a second card for storage. For example, the ability to storethe second card inside of wireless device 105 provides functionality toa user similar to a traditional wallet. In such an example, wirelessdevice 105 would store both cards, which would then be available forremoval from wireless device 105. Further, in an embodiment consistentwith the present invention including a second card slot, wireless device105 may or may not include functionality for reading the second card.For example, in some embodiments, it may be necessary for a user toremove the second card from the second card slot and insert the secondcard into the first card slot in order for the magnetic stripe reader toread card data from the second card.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the components of wireless device 105.Fore example, wireless device 105 may include a processor 310, amagnetic stripe reader 320, a transmitter 330, a memory 340, an RFIDchip 350, and an RFID writer 360. Other components that may be includedin wireless device 105 include a battery (not shown) for supplying powerto transmitter 330 and RFID chip 350. Furthermore, wireless device 105may include a sensor (not shown) for detecting the presence of a card.Still further, wireless device 105 may include a smart card reader (notshown) in addition to, or in place of, magnetic stripe reader 320.

Processor 310 may instruct magnetic stripe reader 320 to read card datafrom a card as it is inserted into wireless device 105. Alternatively, asmart card reader included in wireless device 105 may read data from thecard. Further, card data that has been read from a card may be stored inmemory 340 or may be written by RFID writer 360 to RFID chip 350.Transmitter 330 may be used in addition to RFID chip 350 to transmitcard data and/or other data from wireless device 105. For example,transmitter 330 may be used to boost the signal strength of radiofrequency signals sent from wireless device 105.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary diagram 400 of an interaction between wirelessdevice 105, an RFID reader 410, and a magnetic stripe reader 420. RFIDreader 410 and magnetic stripe reader 420 may be connected to apoint-of-sale (POS) terminal 430. POS terminal 430 receives data fromRFID reader 410 and magnetic stripe reader 420 to process a transaction.A merchant may use POS terminal 430 to input data describing a purchaseand to verify payment information obtained by RFID reader 410 and/ormagnetic stripe reader 420.

Once POS terminal 430 has received payment information, such as accountinformation for a credit card, POS terminal 430 may transmit the paymentinformation in a secure format over a network (not shown) in a processthat is consistent with a typical purchase transaction, such as thatinvolving a credit card. In such a credit card transaction, for example,once an external server (not shown) verifies and approves the creditcard transaction, authorization for the transaction may be sent over thenetwork to POS terminal 430.

As shown in FIG. 4, wireless device 105 may also transmit paymentinformation by radio frequency to RFID reader 410. In such a situation,a user will hold wireless device 105 near RFID reader 410 at, forexample, the direction of the merchant or after being prompted by amessage shown on a display (not shown) of RFID reader 410 requesting theuser to provide payment information. Alternatively, card 120 may beremoved from wireless device 105 and swiped through magnetic stripereader 420. In such a situation, the user retains the ability to use thecard for payment when a merchant does not have RFID technology foraccepting payment information.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary flow diagram 500 of a method for enablingwireless device 105 to store card data. In step 510, at the start of theprocess, a card may be inserted into card slot 110 of wireless device105. As the card is inserted into card slot 115 of wireless device 105,magnetic stripe scanner 320, which may be included in wireless device105, may scan a magnetic stripe on the card to read card data. (Step520.) The card may be physically stored inside of wireless device 105after it is inserted and read. Next, the card data may be stored inmemory 340 included in wireless device 105 in an encrypted form, asshown in step 530. Alternatively, RFID writer 360 may program RFID chip340 to store card data in an encrypted format. In step 540, when a userof wireless device 105 wishes to make a purchase, the user may instructwireless device 105 to transmit the card data from wireless device 105to RFID reader 410 via radio frequency.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary display 600 of wireless device 105, which mayinclude a menu 610 of cards that have card data stored in wirelessdevice 105. As shown in FIG. 6, menu 610 may include a list of threecards designated as card 1, card 2, and card 3. Further, card 1 is shownas having been selected by selection box 620. Selection box 620 may be,for example, a highlighted border surrounding a selected item shown ondisplay 600. A user may make a selection from menu 610 by using inputkeys (not shown) of wireless device 105, or by touching display 600.Furthermore, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6, card 1 mayalso be represented by image 630, which shows a graphical image of acard. Alternatively, card 1 may be selected for use in making a purchaseby selecting image 630 using input keys or by touching display 600.Image 630 may be an image of a credit card, a logo, text, or anygraphical image that the user has associated with card 1.

For example, a user may access menu 610 on wireless device 105. As shownin FIG. 6, menu 610 displays one or more cards that have card datastored in wireless device 105. The user may select a card, such as card1, by using input keys, for example, from menu 610. Alternatively, theuser may select card 1 by selecting image 630. Thereafter, the user mayuse wireless device 105 to make a purchase with card 1. A user maytherefore make selections from menu 610 to select a particular card fora transaction. Security features, which are discussed in more detailbelow, may be used to determine whether a transaction may proceed with aselected card. For example, in some embodiments consistent with thepresent invention, a security code may be required before a selectedcard may be used to make a transaction.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary flow diagram 701 of a method for storing carddata in wireless device 105. As a card is inserted into card slot 115 ofwireless device 105, card data may be scanned by magnetic stripe reader320. (Step 710.) The scanned card data may be stored in memory 340included in wireless device 105. Next, a user may specify a name thatidentifies the card. (Step 720.) For example, the user may select adefault name, such as MasterCard or Visa, or may enter a personalizedname via input keys. The card data may then be stored in memory 340 suchthat the card data is associated with the stored name selected by theuser. (Step 730.) Thereafter, the user may select the card, for example,from menu 610 as shown in FIG. 6, for use in a transaction by selectingthe stored name. Alternatively, as discussed above, the user may selecta card by selecting a text name, a graphical image, or logo from display600.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary flow diagram 800 of a method for providing asecurity feature for card data stored in wireless device 105. In step810, a card is inserted into card slot 115 of wireless device 105. Thecard may be subsequently stored inside wireless device 105. Magneticstripe reader 320 included in wireless device 105 scans a magneticstripe as, for example, the card is inserted into card slot 115, suchthat reader 320 can read card data from the magnetic stripe. (Step 820.)The card data is stored in memory 330 included in wireless device 105.(Step 830.) Next, processor 310 may receive from a sensor an indicationof whether or not the card has been removed from wireless device 105. Ifthe card has been removed from card slot 115 because, for example, auser has pressed eject button 111 on wireless device 105, an instructionmay be sent by processor 310 to memory 340 or RFID chip 350 to erase thestored card data. (Step 850.) As a result, card data for a removed cardis no longer available via wireless device 105. A user will therefore berequired to insert a card into wireless device 105, thereby requiringthe user to have physical possession of the card.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary flow diagram 900 of a method for authorizinguse of a card to make a purchase with wireless device 105. Magneticstripe reader 320 included in wireless device 105 scans a magneticstripe on the card. (Step 910.) Card data is read from the magneticstripe. (Step 920.) The card data may be stored in memory 340 or in RFIDchip 350 included in wireless device 105. (Step 930.) When a userselects the card for making a purchase, a prompt may require the user toenter a security code to authorize use of the card data. (Step 940.) Instep 950, processor 310 may determine whether the correct security codehas been entered by comparing the entered code with a code stored inmemory 340 of wireless device 105. For example, the security code may bestored in an encrypted form in wireless device 105. After validating thesecurity code, use of the card data is authorized and wireless device105 transmits, when the security code has been authenticated, the carddata from wireless device 105, as shown in step 960. If the securitycode was incorrectly entered, the process ends.

For example, card data may be transmitted from wireless device 105 to anearby RFID reader. The RFID reader may be included in and/or connectedto a POS terminal, as shown in FIG. 4. Further, the security code may beentered by the user via input keys on wireless device 105.Alternatively, the security code may be entered by the user at the POSterminal and transmitted over a network to an external server forvalidation. The security code may be a personal identification number(PIN). In other embodiments consistent with the present invention,instead of a security code, authorization may be provided by afingerprint, voice print, or retinal scan of the user. Also, in any ofthe above embodiments, the security code may be received by wirelessdevice 105 or by a POS terminal.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary flow diagram 1000 of a method for authorizinguse of a card to make a purchase with wireless device 105. A user mayselect a card to make a purchase from display 600 of wireless device 105using menu 610. (Step 1010.) Processor 310 included in wireless device105 may determine whether the selected card is stored inside thewireless device. (Step 1020.) When the selected card is not determinedto be stored inside wireless device 105, wireless device 105 may requirea security code. (Step 1030.) When the selected card is determined to bestored inside wireless device 105, t device 105 may become authorized touse the selected card. (Step 1040.) In the event that use of the card isauthorized, card data for the card may be transmitted via radiofrequency.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary flow diagram 1100 of a method for authorizinga card to make a payment using wireless device 105. A user may select acard to make a purchase from a display of wireless device 105 using menu600. (Step 1110.) When the selected card is determined to be storedinside wireless device 105 (step 1120—“Yes”), the wireless device maybecome authorized to use the selected card. (Step 1150.) When theselected card is not determined to be stored inside wireless device 105(step 1120—“No”), processor 310 included in wireless device 105 maydetermine whether any other card belonging to the user is stored insidethe wireless device. (Step 1130.) When any card belonging to the user isdetermined to be stored inside the wireless device (step 1130—“Yes”),use of the selected card is authorized, and the process may proceed tostep 1150. In step 1150, use of the selected card is authorized.However, in step 1130, when a card belonging to the user is notdetermined to be stored inside the wireless device (step 1130—“No”), theprocess may proceed to step 1140, and wireless device 105 may require asecurity code or prohibit use of the selected card. Furthermore, a userof wireless device 105 may have to establish his or her identity byproviding, for example, a PIN. The identify of an owner of a card storedin the wireless device may be determined by accessing encrypted datastored in wireless device 105.

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary flow diagram 1200 of a method for authorizingof a card to make a purchase using wireless device 105. Authorizationmay be required only for repeat transactions using a particular card andnot the initial transaction. For example, the user may select a card tomake a purchase from menu 610 of wireless device 105. (Step 1210.)Processor 310 included in wireless device 105 may determine whether theselected card has been used to make a prior purchase with wirelessdevice 105. (Step 1220.) When the card has not been used to make a priorpurchase using wireless device 105, the process proceeds to step 1250and use of the card is authorized. When the card has been used to make aprior purchase using wireless device 105, processor 310 determineswhether the selected card is stored in wireless device 105. (Step 1230.)When the selected card is not stored in wireless device 105, wirelessdevice 105 may require a security code. (Step 1240.) If the selectedcard is stored in wireless device 105, the process proceeds to step1250, and the card is authorized.

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary flow diagram 1300 of a method for selecting acard to provide a payment for a purchase made using wireless device 105.In step 1310, wireless device 105 may receive, via radio frequency froma POS terminal 430, data reflecting a purchase transaction. Using thereceived data, wireless device 105 may automatically select a card toprovide the payment for the purchase. (Step 1320.) Next, wireless device105 transmits via radio frequency card data for the selected card to POSterminal 430. (Step 1330.) Accordingly, a card may be selectedautomatically by the wireless device 105 based upon received purchasetransaction data. For example, a user may specify that food purchasesshould use a specified account for payment and that gasoline purchasesmay automatically use a different account that is specified by the user.

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary flow diagram 1400 of a method for assigning acard for providing a payment using a wireless device. In step 1410, acard is selected from menu 600 shown on a display of wireless device105. The selected card may be assigned to a type of purchase by theuser. (Step 1420.) Subsequently, Wireless device 105 may receive, viaradio frequency from a POS terminal 430, data reflecting a purchasetransaction. (Step 1430.) Processor 310 included in wireless device 105may determine whether the purchase is of the type assigned to theselected card. (Step 1440.) When the purchase is determined to be of thetype assigned to the selected card, wireless device 105 may transmitcard data for the selected card to POS terminal 430. (Step 1460.) Whenthe purchase is determined not to be of the type assigned to theselected card, wireless device 105 may prompt the user to select a cardfor payment. Step 1450.

FIG. 15 shows an exemplary flow diagram 1500 of a method for authorizinga second party to use a card to make a purchase with wireless device105. In step 1510, a user may select a card from menu 610 shown ondisplay 600 of wireless device 105. The user may have previouslyassigned to the selected card an identity of a second party that isauthorized to use the selected card. Accordingly, processor 310 includedin wireless device 105 may next determine in step 1520 an identity of auser of wireless device 105. This may be done by validating a securitycode or other information, such as biometrics. When the identity of theuser of the wireless device 105 is determined to be an authorized secondparty (step 1530—“Yes”), device 105 may authorize use of the selectedcard to make a purchase. (Step 1550.) Otherwise (step 1530—“No”), theprocess proceeds to step 1540 and authorization is denied.

Accordingly, in systems consistent with the invention, a wireless devicemay be enabled to receive a card that is inserted into a card slot ofthe wireless device. The wireless device may read card data from thecard and transmit the card data via radio frequency to a nearby RFIDreader. The card may also be ejected from the wireless device and swipedby a magnetic stripe reader. Furthermore, in embodiments consistent withthe present invention, security features may prevent unauthorized use ofcard data stored in a wireless device.

The foregoing descriptions have been presented for purposes ofillustration and description. They are not exhaustive and do not limitthe invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teachings or may beacquired from practicing of the invention. For example, the describedimplementation includes software but the present invention may beimplemented as a combination of hardware and software or in hardwarealone.

Additionally, although aspects of the present invention are described asbeing stored in memory, one skilled in the art will appreciate thatthese aspects can also be stored on other types of computer-readablemedia, such as secondary storage devices, like hard disks, floppy disks,or CD-ROM; a carrier wave from the Internet or other propagation medium;or other forms of RAM or ROM. The scope of the invention is defined bythe claims and their equivalents.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein. The specification and examples should beconsidered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of theinvention being indicated by the following claims.

1. A method for enabling a wireless device to use card data during apurchase transaction, the method comprising: receiving a financialaccount card into a slot of the wireless device, wherein the financialaccount card contains the card data and the financial account card isstored inside of the wireless device; reading the card data from thefinancial account card; determining whether the financial account cardis stored inside the wireless device; and enabling the wireless deviceto use the card data during the purchase transaction if the financialaccount card is determined to be stored inside the wireless device. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising: storing the card data in amemory included in the wireless device.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising: writing the card data to an RFID tag included in thewireless device.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:transmitting the card data from the wireless device to an RFID readervia radio frequency.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the card dataincludes an account number and an expiration data.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the card is a credit card, a debit card, a smart card,or an ATM card.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the card is a minicard.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is acellular phone, a PDA, or a handheld device.
 9. A wireless device, thewireless device comprising: a processor; an RFID chip; and a slot forreceiving a financial account card, wherein the financial account cardmay be stored inside of the wireless device, wherein the processorcommunicates card data from the financial account card to the RFID chip,wherein the wireless device determines whether the financial accountcard is stored inside the wireless device, and the wireless device isenabled to use the card data during a purchase transaction if thefinancial account card is determined to be stored inside the wirelessdevice.
 10. The wireless device of claim 9, further comprising: amagnetic stripe reader for reading a magnetic stripe on the financialaccount card when the financial account card is inserted into the slot.11. The wireless device of claim 10, further comprising: a memory forstoring card data that is read from the magnetic stripe.
 12. Thewireless device of claim 11, further comprising: a display, the displayshowing a menu of one or more financial account cards having card datastored in the memory.
 13. The wireless device of claim 11, furthercomprising: a transmitter, wherein the transmitter transmits the carddata via radio frequency to an RFID reader.
 14. The wireless device ofclaim 9, wherein the stored card data includes an account number and anexpiration data.
 15. The wireless device claim 9, wherein the wirelessdevice may read a credit card, a debit card, a smart card, or an ATMcard.
 16. The wireless device of claim 9, wherein the wireless devicemay read a mini card.
 17. The wireless device of claim 9, wherein thewireless device is a cellular phone, a PDA, or a handheld device.
 18. Amethod for enabling a wireless device to use card data during a purchasetransaction, the method comprising: reading, when a financial accountcard is inserted into a slot of the wireless device, the card data fromthe the financial account card; storing, in a memory include in thewireless device, a name that identifies the financial account card;storing the card data in the memory of the wireless device, wherein thescanned card data is associated with the stored name; determiningwhether the financial account card is stored inside the wireless device;and enabling the wireless device to use the card data during thepurchase transaction if the financial account card is determined to bestored inside the wireless device.
 19. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising: displaying a menu on a display of the wireless device, thedisplay showing at least one financial account card having card datastored in the memory of the wireless device; receiving a selection of afinancial account card listed on the menu; and transmitting card datafor the selected financial account card from the wireless device to anRFID reader via radio frequency.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein theselection is of text shown on the menu that represents the selectedfinancial account card.
 21. The method of claim 19, wherein theselection is of a graphical image shown on the menu that represents theselected financial account card.
 22. A method for authorizing use of afinancial account card for making a purchase with a wireless device, themethod comprising: reading card data from a financial account cardinserted into a slot of the wireless device; storing the card data in amemory included in the wireless device; determining whether thefinancial account card is stored inside the wireless device; receiving,when the financial account card is not stored inside the wirelessdevice, a security code to authorize use of the card data; andtransmitting, when the security code has been authenticated, the carddata from the wireless device to an RFID reader via radio frequency. 23.The method of claim 22, wherein the RFID reader is included in a pointof sale terminal.
 24. The method of claim 22, wherein the security codeis received by the wireless device.
 25. The method of claim 22, whereinthe security code is received by a point of sale terminal.
 26. A methodfor authorizing use of a financial account card for making a purchasewith a wireless device, the method comprising: reading card data from afinancial account card inserted into a slot of the wireless device;storing the card data in a memory included in the wireless device;receiving an authorization authorizing use of the card data; andtransmitting, when the authorization has been received, the card datafrom the wireless device to an RFID reader via radio frequency.
 27. Themethod of claim 26, wherein the authorization is a personalidentification number (PIN).
 28. A method for authorizing use of afinancial account card for making a purchase with a wireless device, themethod comprising: receiving a selection of a financial account cardfrom a display of the wireless device; determining, by a processorincluding in the wireless device, whether the selected financial accountcard is stored inside the wireless device; and when the selectedfinancial account card is determined to be stored inside the wirelessdevice, authorizing use of the selected financial account card.
 29. Themethod of claim 28, wherein card data for the selected financial accountcard is transmitted via radio frequency when use of the selectedfinancial account card is authorized.
 30. The method of claim 28,wherein when the selected financial account card is determined to not bestored inside the wireless device, prompting the user for a securitycode.
 31. A method for authorizing use of a financial account card tomake a purchase using a wireless device, the method comprising:receiving a selection of a financial account card from a display of thewireless device; determining, by a processor included in the wirelessdevice, whether the selected financial account card has been used tomake a prior purchase using the wireless device; and when the selectedfinancial account card has not been used to make a prior purchase usingthe wireless device, authorizing the selected financial account card.32. The method of claim 31, wherein card data for the selected financialaccount card is transmitted via radio frequency when the selectedfinancial account card is authorized.
 33. The method of claim 31,wherein when the selected financial account card has not been used tomake a prior purchase using the wireless device, requiring a securitycode.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the security code is receivedby the wireless device.
 35. The method of claim 31, wherein an RFIDreader receives the transmitted card data.
 36. A method for selecting afinancial account card to provide a payment for a purchase made using awireless device, the method comprising: receiving, via radio frequency,data reflecting a purchase transaction; automatically selecting afinancial account card to provide the payment for the purchase based onthe received purchase transaction data; and transmitting, via radiofrequency, card data from the wireless device for the selected financialaccount card.
 37. A method for assigning a financial account card toprovide a payment for a purchase transaction made using a wirelessdevice including a processor, the method comprising: receiving aselection of a financial account card from a display of the wirelessdevice; assigning the selected financial account card to a type ofpurchase; receiving, via radio frequency, data reflecting the purchasetransaction; determining, by the processor whether the received purchasetransaction data corresponds to the purchase type assigned to theselected financial account card; and when the purchase transaction datais determined to correspond to the purchase type assigned to theselected financial account card, transmitting card data for the selectedfinancial account card.
 38. A method for authorizing use of a financialaccount card to make a payment for a purchase transaction using awireless device, the method comprising: receiving, from a display of thewireless device, a selection of a financial account card belonging tothe user of the wireless device; determining, by a processor included inthe wireless device, whether any financial account card belonging to theuser, including the selected financial account card, is stored insidethe wireless device; and when any financial account card belonging tothe user is determined to be stored inside the wireless device,authorizing the use of the selected financial account card for thepurchase transaction.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein when anyfinancial account card belonging to the user is not determined to bestored inside the wireless device, prohibiting use of the selectedfinancial account card.
 40. A method for providing a security featurefor card data of a financial account card for storage in a wirelessdevice, the method comprising: receiving the financial account card intoa slot of the wireless device, wherein the financial account card isstored inside of the wireless device; reading card data from thefinancial account card; storing the card data in a memory included inthe wireless device; and when the financial account card is removed fromthe slot of the wireless device, erasing the stored card data.
 41. Amethod for authorizing a financial account card to make a purchase usinga wireless device, the method comprising: receiving a selection of afinancial account card from a display of the wireless device;determining, by a processor included in the wireless device, an identityof the owner of the selected financial account card; determining, by theprocessor, an identity of an owner of a financial account card stored inthe wireless device; and when the identity of the owner of the selectedfinancial account card and the identity of the owner of the financialaccount card stored in the wireless device are the same, authorizing theselected financial account card to make a purchase.
 42. A method forauthorizing a second party to use a financial account card to make apurchase using a wireless device, the method comprising: receiving aselection of a financial account card from a display of the wirelessdevice; assigning, to the selected financial account card, an identityof a second party that is authorized to use the selected financialaccount card; determining, by a processor included in the wirelessdevice, an identity of a user of the wireless device; and when theidentity of the user of the wireless device is determined to be theauthorized second party, authorizing the selected financial account cardto make a purchase.
 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the identity ofthe user is determined by validating a personal identification number(PIN).